1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the mettlesome opening dance number got the audience all jazzed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a mettlesome debate on the teaching of evolution in the schools
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mettlesome
He may have been provoked into battle by the ruler of Cebu, who was using Magellan’s troops to rid himself of a mettlesome chieftain known to raid the trade ships that navigated the waters in and around the islands.
—
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettlesome
Adjective
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Jubilant, energetic and celebratory — for small moments and big.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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With an intimate and energetic lens, the film pulls back the curtain on this iconic American gathering, and showcases the rhythms that bring the pow wow to life.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Fans have pointed to the former Big Machine label boss, who oversaw Swift’s early career and later clashed with her over ownership of her masters, as the likely target of this fiery track.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Investigators have since concluded that the item initially thought to be an explosive was debris from a fiery vehicle crash.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Riegel agrees, noting that the show doesn’t just settle into the tone of a typical animated series, in Critical Role’s style or otherwise.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
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Those episodes were made with the company's proprietary AI engine, fine-tuned for animated storytelling.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Even its most mean-spirited plotline, in which a married couple assemble a fake theater production to humiliate their ex-neighbor whose noisiness prompted them to move, is presented as more of a gentle exercise in silliness than anything truly vindictive.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Swamp is notoriously rowdy and spirited, but there’s still plenty for families to do in Gainesville, game day or not.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Throughout an offseason devoted to expansive training, that spirit was on full display — including during the lively knockout games at Prentiss’ gym.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Discussions about the fast-changing international TV distribution market are ten-a-penny at industry conferences, but the group made a lively and worthwhile contribution to the pantheon.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Prince of Wales, 43, was asked whether his youngest son has a spunky personality at his latest royal engagement.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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That spunky spirit lingered into the nineties and early two-thousands.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Royster recalled her animate Catholic teachings and love of Pope Francis’s vision for the church and the prophetic role to hold the government accountable.—
Olivia Cyrus,
Sacbee.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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If the story is slight, the development of the characters through the songs’ lyrics and the performances of them animate and elevate the proceedings.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As his star has risen, the performer born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has become the most passionate and effective ambassador in Puerto Rican history.—
Leila Cobo,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
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Stay open to rapid communication, travel opportunities, or passionate connections.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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